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EVENING LEDGER-rHILADELPHIA, THUKSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1917
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PugK-DEVILSATNT
(Cop) right, 1B17. Public Ledger Company. All rights reserved.)
VJwn Rasputin Returned to St. Petersburg After
His Long "Exile" He Immediately Turned His
Attention to Establishing New Acquaintances
Who Could Help Him in His Enlarged Vision
of Political and Diplomatic Importance
SYNOl'SIH Ol" rilKCKDINO INSTAI.IMUNTS
Tim carrrr of (Irritory Kaainilln, the "Illnrk Monk nf Itu.nla,"
ran lie rompnrril to the life ut ft comet, both In It phyalcnl flight
arroaa the ekv Biiit In Ha effect upon n rhlldllke people whoa faith
I, bound up In myatlrlam nnil auiirratltlnii. Out or the nlillilon of
I,, amnll Hlherlnn town Pokronnkole, Kaaputln appeared on the
horlton of political Jltiaala nnd wielded nn Influence over the Mate
and Church audi aa hna never been duplicated by n civilian nnd a
"There are) mnny atorlea concerning tho relntlonahlp exlatlng
between Jtaaputln nnd the Kmprraa of llnoln, but the nuthor aaya
that the latter reirnnled the "monk" merely n a peraon who could
ate the life of the ailing Ttarctltclt. That the "Prophet," or
Hleaaeil lrrgor," na hla ilrtnteea culled him, l l vtlehl n power
ful Influence over the Mlnlatera and Court la emphnalird In
example after example. The anme apell which he caat over the
mouJIUa" of hla native town brought the aophlatlcated Ituaalan
nobility under hla power. Ilraplte hla filthy, unkempt and revolt.
In nppeurunce, they, in rompuny with the uneducated million
of prnHnt and luw nnrople hemme hla leotrd fnllowera.
ItRapulln'a "creed" contained prrrepta objectionable to the
Orthodox Church and to the peraon not blinded hv liU nntlclm,
and after mnnj nnaiirccaaful attempta lie waa finally "exiled" to
hit old home. After two enra he returned to the capital.
Rasputin waa far too clever ever to say one word capablo of
offending the Empress, whoso proud temperament would never have
forgiven him any familiarity had ho dared to venture upon it. When
ever ho was in her presence he kept a most humble attitude, nnd cer
tainly never discussed with her any matters of state and never dared
entertain her with aught else than religious questions. He was far
less guarded with regard to What he told the Emperor, with whom
ft is unfortunately true that he somttimc3 allowed hh.isolf remarks
Jio would have dono better to keep to himself. But the Tzar never
looked upon him in any other light than in that of a jester whoso
layings were absolutely devoid of any importance whatever, but
trho amused the Tzar at times by the daring manner in which ho
would touch upon things nnd criticize people whoso names only ho
would ever have dared to mention in a disparaging tone beforo
Nicholas II. But between that and 'the possession of any real power
and influence thero was an nbyss which, unfortunately, in view of
the turn that events were to take, no one noticed among all those
who lamented over the almost constant presence of Rasputin at
tfzarskoio Selo.
Court Followers Use Rasputin
All that I have said, however, refers only to the Emperor and
Empress. In regard to some peopl. who surrounded them it was
not quite the same. It is certain thnt from the first day that the
"Prophet" was introduced at TzarsVoio Selo some intriguing persons
applied themselves to make use of him for their own special benefit
and advantage, and tried to create around him a legend thnt had
hardly anything in common with the real truth. It is useless to
mentjon the namcs of these -"ople, whose influence it must be
hoped is now at an end. But it is impossible not to speak of their
activity in regard to the spreading of these rumors which attributed
to Rnsputin an importance he was never really in possession of. This
caused no small damage to the prestige of the dynasty. Rasputin
ought to have been consideied for what he was that is, a kind of
Jester, "un fou du roi," who, like Chicot in Dumas's famous novels,
allowed himself to say all that he thought to his sovereign and
whose words or actions no one could tako seriously into account.
Instead of this some ambitious men nnd women, mostly belonging to
that special class of Tchinownikis or civil functionaries that has
always been the curse of Russia and that, happily, is losing every
day something of its former power, profited by the circumstance
that the solitary existence led by the Imperial Court in its various
residences did not allow any outside rumors to penetrate to the ears
of the rulers of the country. They intentionally transformed Ras
putin into a kind of deus ex mnchina, whose hand could bo traced
in every event of importance which occurred and who could at will
remove and ntrooint Ministers, generals, ladies in waiting, court offi
cials and at last induce the Tzar himself to deprive his uncle, the
Grand Duke Nicholas, of the supreme command of the army and to
assume it himself.
These different tales were repeated and carried about all over
Russia with alacrity, and all the enemies of the reigning house
rejoiced in hearing them. They were untrue nine times out of
ten, and generally invented for a purpose. Rasputin did not
influence the Tzar, who is far too intelligent to have ever nllowcd
this uneducated peasant to guide or to advise him, but unfortunately
he influenced other people, who really believed him to be all powerful.
A kind of camarilla formed itself aiound Rasputin that clung to
him and used him for its own purposes, and that went about saying
that he was the only man in the whole of Russia capable of obtaining
what one wanted, provided it pleased him to do so. One declared
that he could persuade the Empress, always trembling for the
health of her only son, to discuss with her imperial spousoi any
subject that he might suggest. In reality no such thing ever took
place. Alexandra Feodorowna always kept Rasputin at arms'
length, and for one thing had far too much faith in his absolute disin
terestedness even to imagine offering him any reward or gratifica
tion. But it is a fact that he was often called by her to pray at
"It is no exaggeration to say that there was a time when nothing of importance ever j
occurred in the political, social and administrative life of the Russian capital that was
not attributed to Rasputin."
"Rasputin did not believe In the sincerity of his newly
acquired advisors, but he was shrewd enough to seo
that their help would be of wonderful value to him."
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the bedside of the littlo boy, who represented tho best hopo of S,
Russia. This circumstance was cleverly exploited. No one was
ever nresent at his interviews with tho Tzar or with the Empress;
it was therefore easy for him to say what ho liked about them,
certain that no one could ever contradict him, with the exception
of the interested persons themselves, and these could never got to
hear or to learn anything about the wild tales which it pleased
him, together with his friends, to put into circulation regarding
the position which ho occupied at the court. Thanks to his per
suasive powers and to tho undoubted magnetic force he was possessed
of, he contrived to imbuo even earnest and serious people with the
conviction that he was at times the echo of the voices of those
placed far above him, and that they had called upon him to say
to others what it embarrassed them to mention themselves.
In Russia, as a general rule, tho people in power were all
cringing before the Tzar, whom they never dared to contradict.
There wcic at tho time I am writing about somo Ministers who
believed, or, alTocted to believe, In all the extraordinary talcs which
it pleased Rasputin to repent, and who thought it useful to follow
the indications which it pleased him to give to them. He was
only too delighted to be considered the most powerful personage
in the whole of tho Russian Empire. He helped as much as he
could to accredit all the legends going about among the public in
regard to his own person, and ho imagined that the best way to
add to his reputation as a man who did not care for the opinions
of the world was to treat this world with disdain and with contempt,
nnd to transform into his humble slaves ladles belonging to the
highest social ranks, just as ho had transformed into his hand
maidens the peasant girls who had fallen under his spell.
Rasputin Intrigues Against His Enemies
That he magnetized most of the people with whom ho prayed
seems but too true. Perhaps they did not notice it, nnd perhaps
this was done with the consent of those on whom he cxerciseu his
hypnotic strength it is difficult to know exactly but that his
prayer meetings were the scene of spiritist and magnetic experiences
all who have over been present agree in saying. He made no secret
about the fact and openly acknowledged the use which he made of
the state of trance in which he liked to throw his disciples, especially
those belonging to tho weaker sex. He practiced to tho full all the
customs of the "Khlystys," but he added to them a cunning such as
is but rarely found in a human being, nnd a rough knowledge of
human nature which gave him tho facility to exploit the passions of
tho many vile people who thought that he was their instrument
while in reality it was they who were' playing fiddle to his tune.
After his return to St. Petersbuig ho applied himself to the
task of setting aside all his former patrons, such as llliodore, against
whom he contrived to irritate several important members of tho
Holy Synod with false reports' about remarks which tho now
disgraced monk was supposed to have made. Ho contrived also
to bring about tho exile of tho Archbishop of Saratoff, Hermogene,
from whom he feared disagreeable revelations concerning his own
past life and certain episodes connected with the days when ho had
preached his so-called doctrine in the town and government of
EraratofF. On tho other hand, he toadied to other ecclesiastical
dignitaries eager for promotion, and in that way obtained their
support in tho Synod. Very soon he turned his thoughts to more
practical subjects than religious fervor or lcligious leforms, and
sought tho society of business and financial people. Among these he
soon obtained tho opportunities he longed for and established a kind
of large shop or concern where everj thing in the world could be
bought or sold, from a pound of butter to a minister's portfolio.
It is no exaggeration to say thnt there was n time when
nothing of importance ever occurred in tho political, social and
administrative life of the Russian capital that was not attributed
to Rasputin, nnd the result of this was that there crowded about
him all kinds of dark personalities, who hoped, thanks to his support
and influence, to obtain this or that favor. Everything interested
him, everything nttracted his attention; railway concessions, bank
emissions, stock exchange speculations, purchase of properties,
acquisition of shares in industrial concerns, arranging of loans for
persons in need of them nothing seemed too small or too important
for his activity. He liked to think himself necessary to all these
high-born people, whom he compelled to wait for hours in his ante
chambers, just as if he had been a sovereign. And for every favor
ho granted, for every word which he promised to say, he exacted
payment in the shape of a pound of flesh, which consisted, according
to circumstances, in a moro or less important commission.
Ministers nnd functionaries feared him. They knew that ho
could do them an infinitude of harm by causing to be circulated
against them rumors of a damaging character, the result of which
would have undoubtedly been their disgrace or removal to another
ephero of action very probably not at all desirable. He was
credited for an infinitude of things ho had never thought of per
forming, and ho was supposed to have been privy to all kinds of
governmental changes that cither pleased or displeased those who
criticized them. As timo went on ono accused him among other
things of the dismissal of tho procurator of the Holy Synod, Mr.
Loukianoff, with whom he had for a long period been at daggers
drawn nnd who had openly expressed his disapproval of ttm
"Prophet" and his disbelief In his miraculous powers. Tho elevate
of tho Archimandrite Wnrnawa, ono of his warmest patrons in
tho past, to tho episcopal seo of Tobolsk was rilso said to hpvo. be
Rasputin's work, nnd tho public persisted so entirely In seeing
his hand everywhere nnd in everything that it was even rumored
that it was ho who waa answerable for tho decision of tho censor
forbidding tho representation of a drama by tho celebrated author
Lconldo Andrcio called, "Anathema," on tho eve of tho day whe
It was to bo produced a decision which caused an immense sensa
tion In tho society of tho Russian capital.
It was natural that among the many peoplo who crowded
around Rasputin some secret police agents found their way. On
of these who was later to become tho hero of moro than ono scandal,
a certain Mr. Manasscwitsch Maniuloff, bethought himself of
becoming tho mentor of tho "Prophet" Ho was in close relation
with Count Witto, nlways eager for his own return to power and
desirous of overturning every Individual In possession of tho posts
which ho had formorly occupied himself. The two men tried to
imbue Rasputin with the idea that he had great political talents,
nnd thnt ft was a pity ho had not yet turned these into nccount for
tho good nnd tho welfare of Holy Russia. Rasputin did not believe
in tho sincerity of his newly acquired advisors, but he was shrewd
enough to seo that their help would bo of wonderful value to him.
He willingly entered into tho plans which they unfolded to him
between two glasses of brandy or two cups of champagne as the
occasion presented itself. Count Wltto was very well aware of all
tho secret Influences which were paramount at Tzarskoie Selo, and
ho contrived to turn them in favor of Rasputin, suggesting at tho
snmo timo to tho latter tho things which ho sought to say when in
presence of certain personages. It was easy to throw in a word
now and then, cither in the shnpo of a jest, or of a remark uttered
inndvertcntly and unintentionally, but yet euro to bear fruit in the
future. Tho great thing was to give to Rasputin tho idea that he
was a personage of Importance. This was not a very difficult
matter considering tho very high opinion which he already had of
his own capacities, coupled with his set resolution to make tho
most hay whilst the sun was shining and never to miss nn oppor
tunity of asserting his personality no matter in what occasion or
with what purpose.
The Balkan War Aids the "Monk"
The Balkan war gave Rasputin a golden opportunity for exer
cising his various talents, nnd it is pretty certain that ho mado at
tho timo strenuous cfTorts in favor of peace, repeating to whomever
wished to hear him that he had had visions which predicted" that the
greatest calamities wcro awaiting Russia, if she mixed herself up
in it. This feeling was shared by a numerous party, and the
sovereign himself was the most resolute adversary of any militnry
intervention in this unfortunate affair. It is likely that even with
out Rasputin Russia would not have drawn her sword either for Bul
garia or for Servia', but nevertheless it pleased his friends to say
that without him this would have most undoubtedly occurred. And It
also pk-nsed him to assert that on this occasion he had proved to be
the savior of his native land. Wo shall seo him repeat this legend
with gicat relish during a conversation which I had with him
personally just beforo tho breaking out of the present war.
Xhero was also another incident in which Rasputin most cer
tainly was implicated. Tills was tho dismissal of Mr. Kokowtsoff,
then Prime Minister and President of tha Council, followed by
the appointment in his place of old and tottering Mr. Gorcmyklne,
to whom no ono in the whole of Russia had ever given a thought
ns a possible candidate for this difficult post. Count Witte was
tho personal enemy of Mr. Kokowtsoff, whom ho had never for
given for his so-called treason in regnrd to himself, and ho never
missed any opportunity to attack him in tho Council of State, of
which they were both members, criticizing his financial adminis
tration and making fun of the splendid budgets which were reg
ularly presented to the Duma. These Witto declared to bo, entirely
artificial, reposing on a clever manipulation of figures. In some
ways it was easy to find fault with Mr. Kokowtsoff, whose namo
had been mixed up far too much for the good of his personal reputa
tion in all kind of financial transactions nnd Stock Exchange opera-'
tions. But, then, tho same thing had been said about Count Witto
with perhaps even moro reason that about Mr. Kokowtsoff, whose
wife, at least, had never been suspected of any manipulations with her
banking nccount. Indeed, no finance minister in Russia had escaped
accusations of tho kind from his detractors or his adversaries, and
it had never interfered with their administrative careers nor
prevented them from sleiping soundly.
So far, so well; but then this was more the work of events as
they had unfolded themselves naturally than tjie merit of Ras
putin; yet he was openly congratulated by his friends, or so-called
ones, on tho success which he had obtained in driving Mr. Kokowt
soff away. Tho ultra-orthodox party which hailed the advent to
power of one of its members Mr.- Goremykino having always been
considered as one of tho pillars of tho conservative faction not
only cheered the "Prophet" with enthusiasm but also started to
proclaim anew his genius and clear understanding of the needs of
the Russian people. Thus a ministerial crisis culminated in tho
apotheosis of a man whose only appreciation of the qualities and
of tho duties of a Minister consisted in the knowledge of that
Minister's existence as a public functionary.
(CONTINUED TOMORROW)
PENNSYLVANIA SOLDIER BOYS IN THE MAKING AND WHAT THEY HAVE TO FACE
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Copyright, Waatern Nawapaper Union.
KAISER'S SNIPERS WEAR HEAVY HEAD AKMOR
This Canadian official photograph from tho western front shows a
German mask captured by Canadians. It Is made of two-inch steel.
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